ONE YEAR MARK!

Hey Everyone - 

I can't believe an entire year has passed by.  This has been the most trying, toughest year of my life.   I am so grateful for every second I have had here and wouldn't trade it for anything.  

This was a good week overall.  We had a zone conference with the Catala's.  They are a huge blessing to me and I have learned so much from them.  

The church does not use tithing money to pay for cleaning people so the local people clean the church buildings.  One morning this week, we spent the whole morning until lunch cleaning the church.  We had a little accident while cleaning, haha.  Elder Morris and I found a floor polisher that you see in the movies so we had to take it for a spin in the cultural hall.  For some reason it was crazy powerful and really hard to control. 

Awesome ward activity (with polished floor!)

We had to legit use all our strength to control it.  So it was my turn to use it and I twisted the handle to turn it on and the polisher went out of control and slammed me into the door and the door broke hahaha.  We went to the hardware store and bought gorilla glue and clamps.  Long story short... we fixed it and everything is fine (including me!).  

Rober and James are getting baptized this week.  They are so happy. 

I hope you all have a great week.

With love,

Elder Vincent

Reply Si if you want one!

Hurting for others

Spanish Class

Hey Everyone! 

Another solid week of work.   One miracle we saw happened as we were heading over to the church for Spanish class.  Some guy in the street called us over to his little shop and gave us two plastic bags of bread and said "I know you have people that need it."  So, at the end of class we opened up the bags and offered it to everyone.  All of the Haitians started humbly and gratefully grabbing the bread and shoving it into their pockets.  It was difficult to see how important little rolls of bread were to them.  It made me think of how many times I have left food on my plate and not even thought twice about it.  

Another thing that stuck with me was a conversation I had this week with someone about how hot it is in the summer and how cold it is in the winter.  She said something like "the heat is bothersome, but the cold makes you suffer.  Not suffer from the actual cold, but suffer from seeing all the people without homes or tiny huts who don't have warm clothes.  It hurts."

I'm so grateful that here in Chile I've been able to recognize ALL of my blessings and how lucky I am.  I don't think I would recognize or appreciate these blessings if I hadn't actually lived here.   

We are now in the middle of Winter here.  Some days are freezing and it rains constantly.  Thank you, Natalee, for sending me "Hot Hands" to put in my boots.  It's so nice that my feet stay warm when we are working outside for most of the day on such cold days.  

All my love,

Elder Vincent

Daily calendar 

View from my apartment

Our District

Gift from a member

Doris Gets Baptized!

Doris got baptized

Hey Everyone!

Another amazing week filled with blessings.  We continue to work hard every day and it feels good.  

The biggest highlight of this week was that Doris got baptized.  It was an amazing service and you could feel the spirit so strong.  I was so happy for her.  She had lots of support from her family.  Little by little they are starting to come to church and feeling the Savior's love for them.  Afterwards, Doris made us legit American burgers!  Doris is a huge blessing in my life.  I am so grateful for her faith and courage and everything she has taught me.  

Working with a member

It's truly a blessing to be a missionary.  I love these people and every opportunity I have to serve them.  Although there are challenges every day and it is hard at times, I couldn't be more grateful to be here and to work in this part of the Lord's vineyard.  

Thanks for your letters and support. 

With love,

Elder Vincent

D&C 64: 33-34  Wherefore, be not weary in well doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work.  And out of small things proceedeth that which is great.  Behold, the Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind; and the willing and obedient shall eat the good of the land of Zion in these last days.  

Elder Dawson and I freezing!

Morning studies

Someone just left their goat here!